1911 bushing wrench and recoil spring plug catcher

ABSTRACT

A tool to facilitate the removal of a barrel bushing and recoil spring plug/guide rod plug and reinstall them on (Model) M1911 type self loading, magazine fed pistols (hereafter referred to as “1911”). 
     This invention relates to an improved 1911 barrel bushing wrench. The object of this invention to provide a recoil spring plug/guide rod plug catcher and ¼ inch hex insert socket on the heel of the tool to accommodate screwdrivers, pin removers and other ¼ inch hex tool bits. The recoil spring plug/guide rod plug catcher allows the user to easily contain the spring loaded recoil spring plug/guide rod plug without accidental launching the plug, which, upon striking a person or object can cause injury or damage. The tool also allows the user to safely and easily re-install the recoil spring plug/guide rod plug back into the pistol with the spring loaded thumb plunger. The ¼ inch hex insert socket on the heel of the tool along with the necessary accessory bits allows the user to have just one tool in order to further disassemble the 1911 pistol.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a improved tool for assisting in thedis-assembly and reassembly of a firearm; particularly 1911 patternautomatic pistols reducing potential injury and damage from accidentalrelease of the recoil spring plug/guide rod plug, which us underconsiderable spring pressure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The Colt Model 1911 was designed by John Browning, designer of variousmodern firearms. In 1906 the US Military, under the direction of GeneralWilliam Crozier of the Ordinance Department, began evaluating severalpistol designs along with the suitability of a new cartridge that wasdesignated the 0.45 Automatic Colt Pistol (or 0.45 ACP for short). Asthese military tests continued over the next several years, the JohnBrowning designed pistol began to emerge as the clear favorite.

In March 1911, the Browning-designed .45 automatic pistol, manufacturedby Colt was selected as the official sidearm of the armed forces of theUnited States of America and was designated the Model 1911. Because ofits speed, reliability and distinguished history, the 1911 firearm isstill popular today with gun enthusiasts and collectors. Various modelsof the 1911 have been produced by virtually all firearm manufacturers.

To disassemble the 1911 to clean or repair the firearm, the procedurefor various manufacturers is basically the same. The procedure involvesthe rotation and removal of the barrel bushing and the recoil springplug/guide rod plug. Rotation and dis assembly of these parts can beaccomplished by hand without the use of any tools. However, suchprocedure may be difficult and awkward as a normal procedure is todepress the recoil spring plug and at the same time rotate the barrelbushing by approximately % turn. After barrel bushing has been rotated,the barrel bushing and the recoil spring plug/guide rod plug can beremoved. The tooless procedure may be difficult because of the necessityto depress the recoil spring plug as it is under spring pressure androtate the barrel at the same time. The recoil spring plug/guide rodplug can slip off the thumb launch the plug as a projectile—injuring theperson, other persons nearby or causing damage to nearby objects.Therefore, a tool is recommended to assist the user when rotation of thebarrel bushing and removing the spring plug. The tool, called a “barrelbushing wrench,” is a wrench having an aperture generally in the shapeof the barrel bushing that is fitted on the barrel bushing and turned torotate the barrel bushing. However, there is still no provision tosecure the recoil spring plug/guide rod plug on these tools.

The invention disclosed here positively retrieves the recoil spring plugat the precise time the barrel bushing loses contact with and releasesthe recoil spring plug/guide rod plug.

Other Improved Tools

The prior art discloses several other types of tools for this purpose.U.S. Design Pat. No. 407958 shows a lockout, safety and bushing removaltool for an automatic handgun.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,411 discloses a tool for rotating a barrel bushingor spring plug in a 45 caliber pistol. The tool has a flange to preventthe uncontrolled ejection of the plug and spring. The tool includes arecess for partially receiving the ejected plug. Studs are positioned tocontrol the amount and/or direction of rotation of the bushing or plug.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,174,667 B2 also discloses a tool for rotating a barrelbushing or spring plug on a 1911 45 caliber pistol. A tool to facilitatethe removal of a barrel bushing on a handgun such as the 1911 automaticpistol. The tool has a handle which fold-able receives a wrench havingan aperture conforming to the shape of bushing. In the extendedposition, the wrench is provided with ridges or serrations tofriction-ally engage the fingers or hands of the user.

While tools, as described above, are suitable for the intended purpose,they generally are single purpose tools not having the capability todisassemble other parts of the pistol, nor do they have a provision forthe secure reassembly of the spring recoil plug/guide rod plug-barrelbushing assembly.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a multi-tool which can which candisassemble and reassemble a 1911 pistol safely and easily for the enduser.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention consists of a multi-tool having a flat handle withits barrel bushing aperature combined with its recoil plugcatcher/installer on one end a ¼ inch hex insert on the other end toaccommodate various ¼ inch hex tool bits.

The wrench is made of suitable strength material such as a high densitypolymer plastic. The wrench defines an opening conforming to the shapeof the barrel bushing and recoil spring plug. The lower end of thewrench is generally rounded with a V4 inch hex bit insert.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Exhibit A

The above and other advantages and objects of the present invention willbecome more apparent from the following description, claims anddrawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tool of the present inventionshowing the bushing wrench, recoil plug catcher/installer and the ¼ inchhex tool insert and the wrench deployed in a position of use.

FIG. 2 is a detail of the wrench portion of the tool;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the tool of the present invention with therecoil plug catcher/installer

FIG. 4 shows the end of a barrel of a representative firearm such as amodel 1911 handgun with the tool positioned prior to engagement with thebushing.

FIG. 5 shows the muzzle end of the barrel bushing and recoil plug of arepresentative firearm such as a model 1911.

FIG. 6 shows the Hex Socket feature of the tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Exhibit B

Turning now to the drawings (FIG. 1), the tool of the present inventionincludes a flat handle B. The wrench A has a generally flat bodiedhandle and made of high density polymer or suitable material. Thebushing aperture C fits snugly over the barrel bushing of the 1911. TheRecoil Spring Plug/Guide Rod Plug Catcher D captivates the recoil springplug/guide rod plug when released by rotation of the barrel bushing. ThePlunger E is utilized in assembly to safely depress the recoil springplug/guide rod plug into its proper position to allow the barrel bushingto be turned to its proper position. The Plunger Spring F keeps thePlunger E in position so that: 1) the cavity remains free to “catch” therecoil spring plug/guide rod plug, and 2) to give the end user a“tactile” feel in the reassembly process. The Thumb Dimple G allows amore comfortable and secure grasp of the tool. The Recessed Hex ToolSocket H is utilized for standard and/or specialized hex bits to beinserted for further dis-assembly of the 1911.

Dis-Assembly and Assembly Procedure

This tool, as previously mentioned, is intended to be used with 1911pattern handguns. Although there are various manufacturers and variantsof this model, the 1911 Bushing Wrench And Recoil Spring Plug CatcherTool is suitable for use in all of them. The following is a descriptionof the inherent design of the 1911 as pertains to this tool.

Referring to FIG. 1, the barrel of the representative 1911 handgun isgenerally represented by the numeral 100. A bushing 110 is at theforward end of the barrel. Below the bushing is a hole that extendsparallel to the barrel having a spring 114 retained by a recoil springplug/guide rod plug 116. To clean or repair the firearm, the barrel 112,the barrel bushing 110 must first be removed. The tool of the presentinvention is used for this purpose and the procedures are furtherdescribed below.

For dis-assembly, when fitted over the bushing 110 and the tool isrotated clockwise in order to disengage the recoil spring plug/guide rodplug 116, the recoil spring plug/guide rod plug 116 ejects into thecavity of the Plunger E. The recoil spring plug/guide rod plug 116 cannow be safely removed from the recoil spring 114 and set aside. Toreassemble, the recoil spring plug/guide rod plug 116 is inserted intothe cavity of the Plunger E, while the wrench A is fitted over thebarrel bushing 110. The Plunger E is now depressed, pushing the recoilspring plug/guide rod plug 116 into the firearm, while compressing therecoil spring 114 enough so that it will not interfere with thecounterclockwise turning of the barrel bushing 110. While keeping theplunger E depressed, the wrench A is rotated counterclockwise unto therecoil spring plug/guide rod plug 116 “snaps” into place, which istactility felt by the thumb which is depressing the Plunger E. At thispoint, reassembly of the barrel bushing 110—recoil spring plug/guide rodplug 116 assembly has been accomplished.

Statement of Uniquness

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to make various changes,alterations and modifications to the invention described herein. To theextent such changes, alterations and modifications do not depart fromthe spirit and scope of the appended claims, they are intended to beencompassed therein.

PATENT CITATIONS

Filing Publication Cited Patent date date Applicant Title U.S. Pat. No.Aug. 16, Feb. 20, Ram-Line, Apparatus for partial 4,901,411 1988 1990Inc. disassembly of firearm U.S. Pat. No. Aug. 22, Oct. 9, F. Boyd,Ltd., Fixed yet pivotable 4,961,239* 1988 1990 Limited knife or toolPartnership USD210093* Dec. 15, Feb. 6, Combined bottle opener 1966 1968and screwdriver USD407958 Oct. 11, Apr. 13, Lockout, safety and 19961999 bushing removal and installation tool for an automatic gun *Citedby examiner

REFERENCED BY

Filing Publication Citing Patent date date Applicant Title U.S. Pat. No.May 23, Jul. 22, Perry Handgun tool 7,401,432* 2005 2008 Competition andrelated Inc. methods U.S. Pat. No. Nov. 9, Apr. 27, Jeffrey Bryan 1911Handgun 7,703,232* 2007 2010 Johns bushing tool US8800193 Apr. 19, Aug.12, W. Frear Bushing 2012 2014 Innovations wrench LLC US20140290112*Jun. 16, Oct. 2, John Home Firearm multi- 2014 2014 purpose tool *Citedby examiner

CLASSIFICATIONS

U.S. Classification 42/108, 7/108, 29/270 International ClassificationF41C27/00, B25B13/48, B25B27/14 Cooperative Classification F41C27/00,F41A35/00 European Classification F41C27/00, F41A35/00

LEGAL EVENTS

Date Code Event Description Apr. 5, 2011 FP Expired due to failure toEffective date: pay maintenance fee Feb. 13, 2011 Feb. 13, 2011 LAPSLapse for failure to pay maintenance fees Sep. 20, 2010 REMI Maintenancefee reminder mailed

1.-4. (canceled)
 5. The present invention relates to an improved toolfor assisting in the disassembly and reassembly of a firearm;particularly 1911 pattern automatic pistols reducing potential injuryand damage from accidental release of the recoil spring plug/guide rodplug, which us under considerable spring pressure. The wrench has agenerally flat bodied handle and made of high density polymer orsuitable material. The bushing aperture fits snugly over the barrelbushing of the
 1911. The Recoil Spring Plug/Guide Rod Plug Catchercaptivates the recoil spring plug/guide rod plug when released byrotation of the barrel bushing. The Plunger is utilized in assembly tosafely depress the recoil spring plug/guide rod plug into its properposition to allow the barrel bushing to be turned to its properposition. The Plunger Spring keeps the Plunger in position so that thecavity remains free to “catch” the recoil spring plug/guide rod plug,and to give the end user a “tactile” feel in the reassembly process. TheThumb Dimple allows a more comfortable and secure grasp of the tool. TheRecessed Hex Tool Socket on the heal of the tool is utilized forstandard and/or specialized hex bits to be inserted for furtherdisassembly of the
 1911. The tool of claim 5 wherein the tools handleunder the barrel bushing socket is at least three inches long. The toolof claim 5 wherein the tools Recoil Spring Plug/Guide Rod Plug CatcherIncorporates an improved safety mechanism to capture and trap the recoilspring plug during disassembly is at least a 0.40 inside diameter and isat least three quarters of an inch long. The Plunger Spring keeps thePlunger in position so that: the cavity remains free to “catch” therecoil spring plug/guide rod plug, and to give the end user a “tactilefeel in the reassembly process. Released by rotation of the barrelbushing, the Plunger is utilized in assembly to safely depress therecoil spring plug/guide rod plug into its proper position to allow thebarrel bushing to be turned to its proper position. The Plunger Springkeeps the Plunger in position so that the cavity remains free to “catch”the recoil spring plug/guide rod plug, and to give the end user a“tactile” feel in the reassembly process. The tool of claim 5 has arecessed Hex Tool Socket incorporated on the heel is at least onequarter of an inch and will accommodate standard and Phillip headscrewdriver bits, hex and star bits is utilized for inserted for furtherdisassembly and reassemble of the 1911 pistol.